BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, November 2. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has approved a sovereign loan of up to 15.23 million euro for the Water Resources Services (WRS) government agency in Kyrgyzstan, Trend reports.
The loan will be co-financed by grants from the European Union's Asia Pacific Investment Facility (up to 3.6 million euro) and the EBRD Shareholder Special Fund (up to 5 million euro). It has a 20-year term.
The project is part of a broader Water Resources Management Framework. The funds will be used to repair main irrigation canals and implement an automated control system in the Chui region. This initiative aims to improve the efficiency and reliability of irrigation water for farmers, bringing social and economic benefits.
Additionally, the project will enhance governance by investing in water distribution automation and monitoring while also working towards financial viability in the irrigation sector through tariff reforms. It will help reduce water losses and lessen pressure on local water resources. The WRS’s procurement, financial, and implementation capacity will be strengthened through dedicated technical assistance.
The WRS operates under the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry of Kyrgyzstan.
To date, the EBRD has invested 996 million euro in Kyrgyzstan across 248 projects, primarily supporting private enterprise.